Lesson 20: Matthew 21-23; Mark 11; Luke 19-20; John 12

May 20-26
Matthew 21-23; Mark 11; Luke 19-20; John 12
"Behold, Thy King Cometh"

Materials: a picture of a crown, Picture of Zacchaeus (link below), video of the Triumphal Entry, Paper, scissors, glue and other craft materials to make paper crowns. 

Opening Song: "The Spirit of God" (Hymnal, 2)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Luke 19:38 "...Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."

Attention Activity:
Show a picture of a crown like the one below. What is this? Who wears a crown? Kings are those who are born as royalty to rule and reign over a group of people. There are still kings and queens in certain countries today, but Jesus is also our King. As the first born son of our Heavenly Father, he was born divine and royal. Where is Jesus's kingdom? Jesus's Kingdom is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

This week we start discussing the events during the last week of the Savior's life. As we hear the stories during scripture study and Family Home Evening, pay attention to the ways the disciples showed respect for the Savior as their heavenly King. 

Lesson:
While Jesus was traveling on his way to Jerusalem, he passed through a town called Jericho. There was a man in Jericho named Zacchaeus who was a publican, that meant he collected peoples money and gave it to the government. Most people didn't like publicans because a lot of them lied and took more money than they should. 

Show picture Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Tree, by James Tissot

Zacchaeus really wanted to see the Savior walk through his town, but there were too many people and he was a short man. Zacchaeus climbed a nearby tree, so he could see Jesus. Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in the tree and said, "Zacchaeus make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house." Zacchaeus came down from the tree. He was so excited to meet the Savior. The people did not like Zacchaeus because he was a publican, but Zacchaeus told Jesus that he was always honest in his job and gave a lot of his money to the poor. 

Jesus knew that Zacchaeus had a good heart and promised him "this day salvation come to this house." (Luke 18:1-9)

Jesus knows our hearts and he knows who is honest and who is not. He doesn't care if you are rich or poor as long as you are honest. Zacchaeus was so excited to see and worship the Savior as his King, he climbed a tree and let Jesus stay in his house.

After Jesus left Jericho, he went to Jerusalem. Ancient prophets had foretold that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Show the video "The Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem" found on lds.org. Read Mark 11: 7-11 What did the people do to show respect for Jesus as their King? (put their clothes on the donkey, put their clothes on the road, and cut palm branches and put them down on the road, shouted "Hosanna", and "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord" [Luke 19:38]). Read the following about the word Hosanna...

"A word from Hebrew that means “please save us” and is used in praise and supplication.
At the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrated the Lord’s deliverance of Israel into the promised land, people chanted the words of Psalm 118 and waved palm branches. At the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the multitudes cried “Hosanna” and spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, thus demonstrating their understanding that Jesus was the same Lord who had delivered Israel anciently (Ps. 118:25–26; Matt. 21:9, 15; Mark 11:9–10; John 12:13). These people recognized Christ as the long-awaited Messiah. The word Hosanna has become a celebration of the Messiah in all ages (1 Ne. 11:6; 3 Ne. 11:14–17). The hosanna shout was included in the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (D&C 109:79) and is now a part of the dedication of modern temples" (Taken from Scriptures, Study Helps, Guide to the Scriptures, 'Hosanna').

(We also shouted "Hosanna" at the April 2018 General Conference last year when President Nelson was sustained as our prophet, seer, and revelator.)

Jesus is our Savior and he is also our King. We should always try to show our respect for Jesus and worship Him as our Lord. Bear your testimony of the Savior.

Activity:
Make and decorate paper crowns. Write on the front "Jesus is my King". You can find printable crown templates here.

Closing Song: "Rejoice the Lord is King" (Hymnal, 66)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:

Copycat "Nothing Bundt Cake" Red Velvet Bundt Cake 
Decorate your bundt cake to look like a crown!

Ingredients

• For the cake
• 1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix*
• 3/4 cup sour cream at room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 eggs at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• For the frosting
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• *Note - If you can't find a red velvet mix use a white cake mix, plus 3 tablespoons cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons red food coloring

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a Bundt pan. (I use Crisco and lots of it.) Set aside.
2. Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix on low with an electric mixer until ingredients are combined, then turn up the speed to medium and beat for two minutes. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool.
3. For the frosting, add the butter and cream cheese to a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium for 2 minutes. Turn the mixer down to low and gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Once combined, turn the mixer up to medium and beat for another two minutes. Pour frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a standard plastic coupler (I used Ateco brand). Pipe onto cooled cake. Serve immediately. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Lesson 19: Matthew 19-20; Mark 10; Luke 18

May 13-19
Matthew 19-20; Mark 10; Luke 18
"What Lack I Yet?"

Materials: "The Family: A Proclamation to the World", picture of Adam and Eve (link below), temple marriage photograph, coloring page (link below)

Opening Song: "Families Can Be Together Forever" verse 2 (Hymnal, 300)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Matthew 19:5-6

Attention Activity: Show a picture of Adam and Eve like the one here. Who is this? Who created Adam and Eve? Adam was created by Heavenly Father on the sixth day, but Heavenly Father said it was not good for man to be alone, so he created Eve as "an help meet" for him. Eve was Adam's wife. 

Lesson:
Adam and Eve were the first people on the earth, and they were married. Marriage has been on the earth since the creation of the world. Jesus also taught about the importance of marriage.

Jesus was preaching in Judea when the Pharisees asked him a question about marriage. Read Mark 10: 6. God created both sexes male and female. Show "The Family: A  Proclamation to the World."  Explain that our modern day prophets and apostles have given us this proclamation as a way to teach the world about the sanctity of the family. Read paragraph two. In the pre-mortal existence we were there and we had the same genders as we do now. 

Read Mark 10: 7-8. Marriage is an important part of Heavenly Father's plan for us. When the time is right, we should seek out a suitable, righteous person to marry. Once we are married, Jesus said we should "cleave" together. That means that a married couple should be a team, love each other , and be one in purpose.

(Please adapt the following depending on your family situation and children's ages.) Marriage is sacred and is "ordained of God." One of the ten commandments is "thou shalt not commit adultery." Jesus also clarified, "But I say unto you, that whosever looketh on a woman [or man] to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart" (Matt 5:28) Our latter day prophets also have taught us to keep the law of chastity. In the Family Proclamation it states, "We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife."

There are people in the world who disagree or oppose the Lord's standard's regarding marriage and chastity. We must always remember to treat everyone with kindness, respect, and love, even if they do not believe in the same things we do. 

Show a picture of a couple in wedding attire outside the temple. You can use the one at lds.org here or your own if applicable. 

My husband and I on our wedding day at the Mount Timpanogos Temple

Read Mark 10:9. God wants our marriages to last forever. In "The Proclamation" it states, "THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan." In order to receive all of the blessings Heavenly Father wants to give us, a couple must be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. 

Show the video "Rennaissance of Marriage" Ask your family to pay attention to the tender way President Eyring talks about his wife and their marriage. 

Bear your testimony on how you know "marriage is ordained of God."  

Activity: Temple Marriage Coloring Page

Closing Song: "I Love to See the Temple" verse 2 (Children's Songbook, 95)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:
Mexican Wedding Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons water

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla and water. Add the flour and almonds, mix until blended. Cover and chill for 3 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
3. Shape dough into balls or crescents. Place on an unprepared cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from pan to cool on wire racks. When cookies are cool, roll in confectioners' sugar. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.